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All-star pitcher Cody returns to York Revolution for 2014 season

STAFF REPORT

Posted:
03/14/2014 11:48:44 AM EDT

Updated:
03/14/2014 11:49:36 AM EDT

Cody (Hayman Studio)

All-Star southpaw Chris Cody is returning to the York Revolution for a fourth season, while the club has also acquired right-handed reliever Ian Durham in a pair of moves announced Friday by Manager Mark Mason.

The signings bring York's preseason total to 16 players under contract with the first spring training workout just one month away.

Named the Revs' team Player of the Year for the 2013 season, Cody represented the Revs as the Freedom Division's starting pitcher at the Atlantic League All-Star Game, and was selected a First Team Atlantic League All-Star at season's end. Cody went 15-9, ranking second in the league in wins, while pacing the circuit in strikeouts (139) and innings pitched (176.0), establishing single-season franchise records in each of those categories. His 3.12 ERA was the league's lowest by a southpaw and third-lowest overall, and marked the second-lowest in a season in team history.

Among his season highlights were back-to-back complete game wins in early June, becoming the first in Revs history to accomplish that feat. His total of four complete games tied a club record for a single season.

"Chris was arguably the best starting pitcher in the league last year," said Mason. "I'm excited to have him back pitching for us. He's a quality person and great teammate. He will play a major role in our success this season."

The 30-year-old lefty continued his success with Aguilas Cibaenas of the Dominican Winter League, where he went 3-3 with a 3.18 ERA in nine starts, holding opponents to a .242 average.

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Cody enters the 2014 season second in Revs history in career wins (34), starts (74), innings (445.0), strikeouts (329) and quality starts (38) behind only teammate Corey Thurman. He is the franchise's all-time leader in complete games with five.

The Brewster, N.Y., native was originally taken by the Detroit Tigers in the eighth round of the 2006 draft out of Manhattan College. He was traded as a young prospect to the Milwaukee Brewers during his second pro season, and ascended to the Triple-A level in 2009.

Cody went 9-5 with a 4.39 ERA in 18 starts for the Revs in 2011, earning a contract with the Atlanta Braves where he finished the year at Double-A Mississippi, going 3-1 with a 3.46 ERA in six starts. He returned to York the following year where he enjoyed a 10-win season in 2012. For his pro career, Cody is 74-60 with a 3.41 ERA in eight seasons.

Durham's rights were acquired via trade from Gary SouthShore of the American Association earlier in the week in exchange for future considerations. The 6-4 righty went 2-2 with nine saves and a 3.20 ERA in 43 relief outings for Gary last season. He enters his fourth pro season in 2014, having spent one year in the Philadelphia Phillies organization, before pitching in the Frontier League with Florence in 2012. The 25-year-old owns a 3.10 ERA for his professional career, having pitched almost exclusively in relief.

A Ventura, Calif., native, Durham was selected by the Phillies in the 28th round of the 2011 draft out of California Lutheran University.

The 2014 season begins April 24 when the Revs play host to the Camden Riversharks at Santander Stadium.